Sadly, it’s looking increasingly likely we have lost our most regular visiting hedgehog. We saw a ‘hog of similar size and build dead on the road about a week ago, and we’ve had no visit since. The proximity of the two events mean this was probably ‘our’ hedgehog.

The one and only photo I took

The picture above shows it in happier times (although actually that’s just after it was harassed by a ginger cat).

We’re not the only ones losing animals. A recent survey by Cardiff University, Project Splatter (Facebook link), has highlighted the most common animals to be found dead on our roads. As The Independent reported, there’s no need for a badger cull when 53% of reported roadkill is badger. Pheasants, Foxes, Rabbits and Hedgehogs all follow on.

It’s impossible to eliminate roadkill, but to use the specific example of our hedgehog, it was on a quiet little back road. Nobody should be driving so fast there, or under such pressure, that they cannot be aware and be considerate. All road users should bear this in mind.